heating question for my cali king snake

[spartan_chaz]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and I just got my first snake. She a california king snake about a year old. I have her in a 20 gallon tank and am trying to figure out heating for her. Iv been using a heat lamp but I know they use heat from their belly to help them digest. I have a heat mat on the bottom of the hot side connected to a thermostats so it doesn't get too hot. Iv been using just the mat for a day but realized two things 1. The ambient air stays room temp around 73 or 74 and 2. She spends most her time today under the substrate on the heat mat. Is this a problem? On that should I use both? My only concern with doing that is that the heat lamp will keep the thermostat from kicking the heat mat on. What do you guys think?

[aaron_cg]

What are you using for substrate, and what is the heat pad set to?

[spartan_chaz]

I'm using aspen shavings and the thermostat for the mat is set to 88 degrees

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by spartan_chaz

I'm using aspen shavings and the thermostat for the mat is set to 88 degrees

I would ditch the heat lamp and raise the temp on thermostat until you see about 85 measured on top of substrate on hot side of enclosure.

[spartan_chaz]

Well other question I have is I put the probe with a suction cup on the glass right on the heat pad. Is that where it should go or do I put it o the side of the tank just above the substrate? And will this cause the mat to get too hot and possibly burn her?

[EL Ziggy]

Welcome to the forum Spartan. I would place the probe on the glass above the heat mat and adjust the temps until the surface of the substrate is where you want it. My warm side for my kings is 86-88 but my t-stat is set to 92- 94. Snakes can sometimes move the probe but you can secure it to the glass with a glue gun. A trick my buddy Steve/Sharthun taught me. I do use a low watt infrared bulb on a dimmer for night time viewing or to raise my temps during the winter. Best wishes with your new king. Let us see pics when you can.

[aaron_cg]

As they said above. The other piece of equipment I highly recommend is a temperature gun. About $20 at a hardware shop. Granted, I have quite a few more, but, it will give you an accurate reading of what the Temps are on the substrate.

[spartan_chaz]

OK. I was looking at getting a duel probe digital thermometer. Once I can get the money lol. My main concern is that my room is on the bottom of the house so it gets the coldest with the ac on...I have my thermostat and light set on a timer. I'm going to run just the heat mat tomorrow during the day while I'm at work. But I set my thermostat at 93 so we will see what that does tomorrow. I may need to get a low watt light light later. And attached are some picks!

[EL Ziggy]

Very nice looking king Spartan!

[spartan_chaz]

Thanks man! I really want a ball python but I got a great deal for this pretty girl and couldn't resist her coloration

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

Very nice looking king Spartan!

I agree beautiful king! I would take the heat mat off the timer and leave it on 24/7. Bump up the temp until you get around that 85-90 degree range. Even at 95 degrees you won't burn your snake.

[spartan_chaz]

OK I'm running the mat now all the time and just leaving the florescent light on the timer. Air temps jumped up to around 80 and she seems to be staying out in the open more than just burying herself in the aspen lol

[sharthun]

Originally Posted by spartan_chaz

OK I'm running the mat now all the time and just leaving the florescent light on the timer. Air temps jumped up to around 80 and she seems to be staying out in the open more than just burying herself in the aspen lol

That sounds great! It's great to see them moving and exploring.

[spartan_chaz]

That it is. Right now she is all curled up under her hide on the hot side and she's been there most of the day...should I be worried? Lol